Richard Carrion, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) top TV negotiator, says that due to the economic downturn the IOC is prepared to postpone bidding on U.S. broadcast rights until after the selection of the host city for the 2016 Summer Games in 2009.
Carrion said Wednesday it’s possible the IOC will wait until after the Oct. 2, 2009 vote, reports the Associated Press. The IOC usually negotiates broadcast rights before the host city is known. Carrion said potential bidders would also prefer it that way, reports Reuters.
Carrion told reporters, “I don’t see us moving quickly forward because all prognostications we are seeing are that advertising will be down. Right now the whole mood is negative for the economy. Yes, they (broadcasters) always prefer to wait”.
He added that knowing the host city could be an advantage in negotiations, especially if Chicago won. “It could, as this removes some of the uncertainty and could work to our advantage”.
Carrion said, “we are certainly expecting to see NBC back (in the bidding process)”.
Reuters reports several other U.S. broadcasters including Fox, ESPN and ABC have been reported to be considering bids.
Carrion said the financial crisis has not seriously affected the IOC because most future sponsorship and broadcasting deals were already signed. “If you look, our sources of revenues are pretty much in place. The financial situation is solid and that gives us the ability to wait it out”.
But Carrion said, “in the last three to four months we took some market hits” adding reserves were now a little over $400 million. He ruled out any job cuts.
